Wayward Moon author lived in Israel for 30 years

Janice Segal Weizman, who was born in Toronto and attended the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto and later Hebrew and Bar-Ilan universities in Israel, has written a first novel, The Wayward Moon. The story is historical feminist fiction about a young Jewish woman forced to flee her home in Babylon in disguise as a man as she makes her way toward Israel in the eighth century.

The tale “is about her challenges as she finds herself in the midst of Muslim and Christian communities, and has to use her wits and ingenuity to survive,” says Weizman, who made aliyah at 18 and has lived some 30 years in Israel.

She is being interviewed by Globe and Mail writer Michael Posner at a book launch hosted by Hebrew University. Prosserman Jewish Community Centre, 4588 Bathurst St. Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.

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Chernick CD Launch Concert: Singer Aviva Chernick, lead singer for Jaffa Road, launches her own CD, When I Arrived You Were Already There, with a concert with her ensemble at The 918, 918 Bathurst St. north of Bloor. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. (doors open 7:30). $15, $20.

• Film maven Shlomo Schwartzberg continues his series on director Sidney Lumet with a look at Dr. Strangelove, The Iceman Cometh, Diner, Norma Rae and The Wire. Miles Nadal JCC, Monday, Dec. 3, 7 to 9 p.m. $12, $6 at the door.

• Exile – A Myth Unearthed examines the story of the exile of the Jewish People through the lenses of archeology, history, myth and religion, using artifacts found at the ancient town of Sepphoris in the Galilee. The film posits the question: what if the exile, as we traditionally understand it, never happened? The repercussions, at least according to the filmmakers, include the possibility that some present-day Palestinians are the descendants of Jews from ancient times. This film, made in 2012 by director Ilan Ziv as a co-production of the National Film Board of Canada, is being screened at the Cinema Projection Booth East, 1035 Gerrard St. E., Dec. 7 to 13. $8, $6. Amit Breuer is one of the co-producers. Visit www.projectionbooth.ca for screening times.